Kenneth Moore, better known as Big Moe, was born and raised in South Houston. He got his start in music, as many Houston natives did at that time, freestyling mixtapes with DJ Screw in the mid-1990s. He was different than the other rappers by virtue of his softer style and his ability and preference to combine melodic R&B-style lines with his soft rap. His style set him apart and he was one of the first to break free of the Houston scene because of it.

I sing a lot. I'm more R&B than a rapper, but I rap too, I'm so used to doing straight up singing I feel that's where I sound good. And singing, got some good singing, slowed down, that'll always sound good. Yeah, I be thrown by how it sound slowed down.

A Novelty Among Rappers

Kenneth Moore, better known as Big Moe, was born and raised in South Houston. He got his start in music, as many Houston natives did at that time, freestyling mixtapes with DJ Screw in the mid-1990s. He was different than the other rappers by virtue of his softer style and his ability and preference to combine melodic R&B-style lines with his soft rap. His style set him apart and he was one of the first to break free of the Houston scene because of it.

In 2000, with the backing of Wreckshop Records, Big Moe released City of Syrup, the title referring to the popularity at that time of drinking recreational codeine in his area of Houston. The album had skits interspersed with the singles, eluding to the codeine theme.

Creating a Persona

Big Moe released Purple World in 2002, again referring to the use of codeine. Multiple Houston rappers of various levels of success and fame made appearances on the album, and the album included two versions of his breakthrough single, Purple Stuff. The video featured scenes reminiscent of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Priority Records made it a priority to distribute the album as widely as possible, and MTV's airing of his video added to the notoriety that followed. The album peaked at #2 on the Billboard Rap Charts, and #3 on the R&B Charts.

In 2003, Big Moe released his third album, Moe Life, which included his commercially successful single, Just a Dog. The song is available, along with his past singles, on various music sites for mp3 download. He followed this with a compilation album in 2004, entitled Classics: Vol.1.

Tragedy

Big Moe had created a solid fan base by the time he released Classics: Vol. 1. In addition to his solo work, he had collaborated with other rappers, including Mike Jones, Z-Ro, Lil' O, Southside Playaz, and Big Pokey.